METHOD AND COMPOSITION FOR ENHANCING i IN VITRO /i EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT BY SUPPLEMENTING CULTURE MEDIUM WITH PROSTAGLANDIN OR A PROSTAGLANDIN ANALOG

摘要

A method of enhancing in vitro development of a mammalian embryo is disclosed which comprises supplementing the culture medium with a prostaglandin, or a prostaglandin analog, in an amount effective to promote complete hatching of the embryo (i.e., freeing of the embryo from the zona pellucida). Supplementation of the culture medium is preferably done during one or more of the following developmental stages of the embryo: (a) when the genome is activated and the fertilized egg develops into morulae; and (b) during the morulae to early blastocyst stage development of the embryo. The in vivo implantation potential and live birth potential of an in vitro fertilization embryo is thereby enhanced and establishment of a viable pregnancy is facilitated.